The 35-year-old announced on Twitter this evening that his recovery had not gone to plan and that going under the knife looked to be his only choice.

"Injury Update...Rehabilitation has not been successful...seems at this point Surgery is our only option..meaning my Season is over! £gutted", he posted.

"Everything that could have been done has been done..but..the most important thing is P.L. Football for Reading FC next Season..."

Roberts admitted at the end of last month that he had no time-frame on a return and that the club's medical staff had "exhausted everything they can to try and make it right".

Royals boss Brian McDermott had a more positive outlook on the player's situation and had been hopeful of having him back available for the Barclays Premier League run-in.

"I think Jason said himself that we have to wait and see day to day," McDermott said last week.

"He was out on the training pitch with the physios the other day and was kicking a few balls around, so he is in a much better place than he was a couple of weeks ago."

Second-bottom Reading have won just five times in the league this season heading into Saturday's crucial home clash with third-bottom Aston Villa.

The experienced forward spent six years with Blackburn before joining the Royals in January 2012. He was a key player for the Berkshire club last term, netted six goals as the Berkshire club won the npower Championship title.

ood grief. Someone guessed that the form English player at the moment might be in his national side with some other players? And that's espionage? Now if they discovered that Emile Heskey was going to be in the starting line up.... at right back.... THAT would be espionage. Give it a rest Roy.